A MASQUERADE ball will raise money to support a Silsden man paralysed in a rugby accident.

Nathan Cubitt broke his neck while playing for Keighley rugby union club's U17s team four years ago.

Now a trust fund set-up to help with his care will share in the proceeds from the ball, being held this Saturday.

The event is being organised by the fund and the Forces Exiles Trust, which will also benefit from the money raised.

"The ball is very special because it falls four years almost to the day after Nathan's accident and it's the night before the Remembrance parades and services," said Mark Dunstan, for the organisers.

"While Nathan's injury was caused by rugby, he has not lost his love for the game.

"He attends lots of local games and our normal annual fundraising event is a tag rugby festival every May.

"The ball will allow us to continue supporting Nathan with physiotherapy and also in his aim to be able to drive an adapted Mercedes Sprinter van!"

He said the support for Nathan, now 20, had been phenomenal.

"He has been left paraplegic by the injury – for that to happen when you're 16 should have been a lot to handle but when Nathan turns round and tells you it has actually made him a better person that reduces grown hardened rugby players to tears," said Mr Dunstan.

"We have had amazing support at the trust over the last four years from Jason Robinson, Henry Paul, Stuart Lancaster, the Matt Hampson Foundation and many other high-profile rugby and sporting names."

The ball – at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton le Moors – will feature music from Seeing Red Sounding Blue, which is travelling from London to be there.

There is an array of raffle prizes including signed rugby and football shirts and balls and Formula One photos, and PSK Photography will be taking portrait pictures.

Tickets for the ball cost £40 per person or £380 for a table for ten.

E-mail nathantagrugby@gmail.com, blog nathancubittrugby.blogspot.co.uk/, tweet @cubittnathan or contact Mr Dunstan on 07595 337159 or Dan O’Rourke 07580 859297 for more details and tickets.